The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1887-10-26

REASONS WHY SPECIAL RATES WERE
Nor GIVEN TO AsHEvILLE ON FRIDAY
LAST.
Upon learning that the Richmond and
Danville management had refused to ex-
tend special rates on the lines of the w.
N. C. R. R. system to people who migL t
wish to visit Asheville on the occasion
Of the Presidents visit, the CITIZEN ex-
pre- SIS its condemnation of such refusal
in strong terms. Knowing it to be usual
for the railroads to reduce rates to points
of public attraction,-not SO much as a
courtesy to the public as matter of in
come for the roads-we expected, as our
people expected, the same course wsuld
obtain in this particular instance. In
answer to tho Criticism of the CITIZEN
Mr.. E. B. Thomas, manager of the r. and
D. System, under date of Washington,
Oct. 21st, writes Supt. McBee as follows ::
81 will be G lad if you will see the pro
prietors and editors of the CITIZEN, and
state to them that we have no desire to
discriminate agaitlsG the peopie of Wes-
tern North CAROLINA. On the contrary,
we have everv><t s>Ire to accommodate
them in eyes1:l S,iss:55e way; and that
Wnen theiquestj5A:ettf giving reduced rates
and running Special trains to enable
them to visit Asheville and see the Presi-
dent come up for discussion, l was dis
posed to make an exception to our gen
eral rule; but as we had no equipment to
perform the service it was out Of the
question. You will recollect that we had
in full blast at the same time the Atlanta
oil tn iOh Eoi, nd 20 I oh
bury Fair After repeated efforts we
succeeded in getting from foreign roads
boH three coaches This, together with the
limited supply of our own coaches, did
not suffice to comfortably handle the
crowds at the three fairs referred to.
And if we had given Asheville reduced
rates it would have been impossible to
furnish cars TO -ccommodat5 the people.
We considered that this condition Of
affairs would have been more apt to pro-
woke adverse criticism than the action
we took of not undertaking TO do that
which we could not do. l will be glad
to know that you have explained the
matter tC the CITIZEN.
Yours truly.
E. B. Thomas"
1t is but Just to Mr.. Thomas that we
give his reasons in full. And it is also
but just to say that had the rates been
reduced as desired, and only the usual,
limited, at best, accommodations been
furnished, the smallest station on the
Western Road woult have go crowded
this train as to render the trip absolutely
uncomfortable if not unsafe. But the
very same reason which moved the man
ager to disposition to accommodate our
people if he could, moved our people to
ask for and expect it, ifit could be done.
Our people do not wish to be either un
just or I'm -easonable; and had these
reasons, as now given by Mr.. Thomas,
been fully given in the first instance our
people would not have felt so disappoin
ted and indignant. They have a right
to ask for such things, because they ex-
pect to pay for them when granted; but
when good reasons intervene, as IN this
case, why such privilege cannot be given,
a prompt say-so aud the reasons there
for, are but naturally to be expected, and
are due. We give Mr.. Thomas full
benefit of his article, and now all of Us
each other little better
we trust that all may work harmoniously
hereafter.